Distributed antenna system with improved uplink leveling

ABSTRACT

Uplink leveling systems and methods for a distribution antenna are provided. An uplink leveling system includes at least one communication path between a base station point of interface and a remote antenna unit. A broadband measurement detector is communicatively coupled to measure signal power in the at least one communication path at the base station point of interface. A signal measurement receiver is communicatively coupled to measure signal power in the at least one communication path. A test signal generator is configured to generate a test signal in the at least one communication path in an uplink. At least one controller is configured to level the communication path in the uplink direction based at least in part on measurements by the broadband measurement detector and the signal measurement receiver in response to the generated test signal by the test signal generator.

BACKGROUND

Wireless cellular service providers use base stations to implementwireless communication links with user devices, such as mobile phones.In particular, a base station is typically in communication with one ormore antennas that receive and transmit radio frequency signals to andfrom user devices. Each base station in turn is in communication withthe service provider's core network. The coverage area of a base stationis limited by a range of the transmitting and receiving power of itsassociated antennas. Moreover, the coverage provided by the transmittedradio waves is influenced by many other factors such as physicalobstacles and interference. Hence, wireless coverage in buildings andstadiums has been traditionally poor. One system used by wirelesscellular service providers to improve coverage provided by a basestation or group of base stations in problem areas is a distributedantenna system (DAS). A distributed antenna system can be placed in ornear areas that traditionally do not receive good wireless receptionsuch as in or near buildings and stadiums.

A typical distributed antenna system comprises one or more master unitsand one or more remote units that are communicatively coupled to themaster units. A distributed antenna system distributes radio frequencysignals coming from a base station to the antennas (and ultimately, userdevices) in the downlink and distributes radio frequency signalsoriginating from user devices to the base station in the uplink. Ontheir way through a distributed antenna system the radio frequencysignals are attenuated by passive components (cables, combiner, splitteretc.) and amplified by active components like power amplifiers.Typically, a distributed antenna system is configured so that radiofrequency signals received from the base station at a given input powerlevel are radiated at each antenna of one or more remote units at adefined power output level and that signals received from user devicesare received by the base station at a certain power level. To achievethis, attenuators and amplifiers are adjusted in the distributed antennasystem accordingly. This process is called “leveling” of the associatedsignal path in the distributed antenna system. For enabling powercontrol between the base stations and the remote units of thedistributed antenna system, the uplink should have the same attenuationas the downlink or maintain some user defined offset from the downlinkattenuation.

A conventional method of leveling includes first measuring the lossand/or gain of a signal path through the distributed antenna system. Inorder to measure the gain/loss of a signal path from a base stationpoint of interface of the distributed antenna system to each remoteantenna unit and vice versa, a test signal at a certain frequency andpower is generated in the base station point of interface and measuredin each associated remote antenna unit for the downlink and vice versafor the uplink. Based on the measured gain\loss of the signal path, gainadjustments are calculated and the attenuators and amplifiers in thesignal path are adjusted accordingly to achieve the desired power levelsat the base station in the uplink direction and at each antenna in thedownlink direction.

For uplink leveling, each remote antenna unit generates a test signaland a power detector within the base station point of interface measuresthe power level of the received test signal in the relevant frequencyband that should be leveled. For at least cost reasons, the powerdetector component of the base station point of interface is typically abroadband power detector (for example, a true root mean square (RMS)power detector that reads power across a broad range of frequencies).Because of the broadband power measurement, it is not possible tomeasure the power level at a select frequency of only the test signal.Therefore, if there is an external signal received by a remote antennaunit that is interfering with the generated test signal, the basestation point of interface cannot distinguish between the test signaland the interfering signal and measures the power of the combinedsignals. This can lead to incorrect measurement results and consequentlyto incorrect leveling of the uplink communication path. Moreover, inputsfrom remote antenna units on the uplink cannot be easily closed toprevent interfering signals because of passive intermodulation.

SUMMARY

The following summary is made by way of example and not by way oflimitation. It is merely provided to aid the reader in understandingsome of the aspects of the invention.

In one embodiment, a method of uplink leveling a communication path in adistributed antenna system is provided. The method includes generating atest signal of a select frequency and select power level in an uplinkdirection of the communication path. Signal power level measurements ofthe test signal with a broadband power detector of a base station pointof interface that is communicatively coupled to the communication pathand a signal measurement receiver that is also communicatively coupledto the communication path are time synchronized. A correction factor isdetermined based at least in part on a comparison of a first powermeasurement taken at the select frequency associated with the testsignal and a second power measurement over a broadband frequency inwhich the base station point of interface operates. Gain adjustments arethen determined based at least in part on the signal power levelmeasurement of the broadband power detector and the correction factor.The communication path is then leveled based on the determined gainadjustments.

In another embodiment, a method of uplink leveling a communication pathin a distributed antenna system is provided. The method includescalibrating measurements of a broadband power detector of a base stationpoint of interface that is communicatively coupled to the communicationpath and a signal measurement receiver that is communicatively coupledto the communication path. Once calibrated, at least one test signal ofa select frequency and power level in an uplink direction of thecommunication path is generated. The power level of the at least onetest signal is measured with the signal measurement receiver at theselect frequency. A gain adjustment is determined based at least in parton the calibration of measurements of the broadband power detector andthe signal measurement receiver and the measured power level of the atleast one test signal with the signal measurement receiver. Thecommunication path is then leveled based on the determined gainadjustments.

In another embodiment, a method of uplink leveling a communication pathin a distributed antenna system is provided. The method includesgenerating a test signal of a select frequency and power level in anuplink direction of the communication path. The test signal is receivedwith a signal measurement receiver that is communicatively coupled tothe communication path. It is then determined if there are interferingsignals present at the select frequency with the signal measurementreceiver. If there are no interfering signals present, gain adjustmentsare determined based on a measurement of the test signal by a broadbandpower detector of a base station point of interface that iscommunicatively coupled to the communication path. The communicationpath is then leveled based on the determined gain adjustments.

In another embodiment, a method of uplink leveling a communication pathin a distributed antenna system is also provided. The method includesusing a signal measurement receiver that is communicatively coupled tothe communication path to measure signals in an uplink direction of thecommunication path. At least one open frequency where no signal isdetected in the uplink direction of the communication path is determinedwith the signal measurement receiver. A test signal is tuned to the atleast one open frequency. Moreover, a broadband power detector of a basestation point of interface that is communicatively coupled to thecommunication path is also tuned to the at least one open frequency ofthe test signal. The test signal at the at least one open frequency isthen generated. The power of the test signal at the at least one openfrequency is determined with the broadband power detector to determinegain adjustments. The communication path is then leveled based on thedetermined gain adjustments.

In another embodiment, a method of uplink leveling a communication pathin a distributed antenna system. The method includes generating a testsignal of a select power level and frequency in an uplink direction ofthe communication path. A detected broadband signal is received inresponse to the test signal with a signal measurement receiver that iscommunicatively coupled to the communication path. All components of thedetected broadband signal are filtered out except the test signal withthe signal measurement receiver. The filtered test signal is output to abroadband power detector of a base station point of interface that iscommunicatively coupled to the signal measurement receiver. The power ofthe test signal is measured with the broadband power detector todetermine gain adjustments. The communication path is leveled based onthe determined gain adjustments.

In another embodiment, a method of uplink leveling a communication pathin a distributed antenna system is provided. The method includesgenerating a first test signal at a first power level and a selectfrequency in an uplink direction of the communication path. A powerlevel of the first test signal is measured with a broadband powerdetector of a base station point of interface that is communicativelycoupled to the communication path to determine a first broadband powermeasurement. It is then determined if the first broadband powermeasurement is greater than a first threshold power level. The firstthreshold power level is indicative of a maximum amount of interferenceand noise in a measured test signal that can be corrected for. If thepower level of the first measured test signal power level is not greaterthan the first threshold power level, a second test signal is generatedat a second power level and the select frequency in an uplink directionof the communication path. A power level of the second test signal ismeasured with the broadband power detector of the base station point ofinterface that is communicatively coupled to the communication path todetermine a second broadband power measurement. A broadband powermeasurement delta between the second measured test signal power leveland the first measured test signal power level is then determined. Ifthe broadband power measurement delta is one of greater than and equalto a second threshold power level, a correction factor is calculated.The correction factor is used to determine gain adjustments. Thecommunication path is leveled based on the determined gain adjustments.

In yet another embodiment, an uplink leveling system for a distributionantenna is provided. The uplink leveling system includes at least onecommunication path between a base station point of interface and aremote antenna unit, a broadband measurement detector, a signalmeasurement receiver, a test signal generator and at least onecontroller. The broadband measurement detector is configured to measuresignal power over a broadband frequency range. Moreover, the broadbandmeasurement detector is communicatively coupled to measure signal powerin the at least one communication path at the base station point ofinterface. The signal measurement receiver is configured to be frequencytuned. The signal measurement receiver is communicatively also coupledto measure signal power in the at least one communication path. The testsignal generator is configured to generate a test signal in the at leastone communication path in an uplink direction from the remote antennaunit to the base station point of interface. The at least one controlleris in communication with the test signal generator, the signalmeasurement receiver and the broadband measurement detector. The atleast one controller is configured to cause the test signal generator togenerate the test signal having a select power and frequency. The atleast one controller is further configured to control the tuning of thesignal measurement receiver. Moreover, the at least one controller alsoconfigured to level the communication path in the uplink direction basedat least in part on measurements by the broadband measurement detectorand the signal measurement receiver in response to the generated testsignal by the test signal generator.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a distributed antenna system according toone exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an example interfering signal graph;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an uplink leveling system according to oneexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a leveling flow diagram according to one exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a leveling flow diagram according to another exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 6A is a leveling flow diagram according to another exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 6B is a leveling flow diagram according to another exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a leveling flow diagram according to another exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a leveling flow diagram according to another exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a leveling flow diagram according to another exemplaryembodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a leveling flow diagram according to another exemplaryembodiment;

In accordance with common practice, the various described features arenot drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevantto the present invention. Reference characters denote like elementsthroughout Figures and text.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shownby way of illustration specific embodiments. These embodiments aredescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thefollowing detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined onlyby the claims and equivalents thereof.

As briefly discussed above, noise and interfering signals combined witha test signal may yield inaccurate results with current methods ofuplink leveling in a distributed antenna system. Simply closing anantenna port to stop external interfering signals in the uplink whileleveling may not work to address this issue since any switch used at theremote antenna units (RAUs) would influence passive intermodulation(PIM) and desensitize the uplink performance during normal DAS operationafter leveling has finished. Moreover, as discussed above, although abase station point of interface may include a radio frequency (RF) powerdetector, the typical RF power detector used in a base station point ofinterface is designed to measure power over a wideband (that is, it is abroadband power detector). Since power over the whole wideband ismeasured by the broadband power detector of the base station point ofinterface, it is typically not possible to measure the signal strengthat a given frequency, such as a test signal frequency generated at aremote antenna unit, and distinguish the test signal strength frominterfering signals. In addition, if the interfering signal on theuplink is relatively strong, an automatic leveling control (ALC)function may be triggered at an optical transmitter or the base stationpoint of interface and the power level of the total signal will bereduced by a factor so that the peak signal is below the ALC threshold.Under this condition, a power measurement of the test signal at the basestation point of interface will not be correct since the power level isreduced by the ALC function. At least some of the exemplary embodimentsdescribed below provide systems and methods of uplink leveling acommunication path in a distributed antenna system (DAS) with the use ofa power measurement device that can be tuned to make power measurementsover a narrow band. Hence, this narrow band measurement device can betuned to the frequency of the test signal. Using this narrowbandmeasurement (in addition to or instead of a broadband measurement),embodiments determine the correct gain\loss of the communication path soappropriate gain adjustments can be calculated. Attenuators andamplifiers in the communication path are then adjusted accordingly toachieve the desired power levels at the base station in the uplinkcommunication path.

Referring to FIG. 1, a simplified block diagram of one embodiment of aDAS 100 is illustrated. In this example embodiment, the DAS 100 includesa DAS master unit 102. The DAS master unit 102 is illustrated asincluding a first sub rack 110 and a second sub rack 120. The first subrack 110 includes a first intelligent point of interface (POI) 112 a anda second POI 112 b. Each POI 112 a and 112 b, which may be generallydesignated as 112, is an integrated base transceiver station interfacethat combines several functions including, for example, at least thefollowing: base transceiver station conditioning, signal splitting andcombing, monitoring, testing, remote monitoring, and automatic powerleveling functions. In implementing the functions, the POI 112 mayinclude, but are not limited to, a signal leveler, a signal attenuator,a signal splitter, a signal combiner, a receive-and-transmit signalcombiner, a multiplexer, a test-tone generator, a radio frequency (RF)power detector, an RF signal tagging mechanism, and the like. Generally,a POI 112 can interface directly with RF sources such as, but notlimited to, base stations, repeaters, or a group of RF sources. The RFpower detector is typically a broadband power detector. The second subrack 120 includes a first optical transceiver (OTRX) 122 a and a secondOTRX 122 b, which may be generally designated as 122. As illustrated,the first POI 112 a is in communication with both the first and secondOTRX 122 a and 122 b. The second POI 112 b is also in communication withthe first and second OTRX 122 a and 122 b. Moreover, in this example, afirst base transceiver station (BTS) 106 a is in communication with thefirst POI 112 a. A second BTS 106 b is in communication with the secondPOA 112 b. As further illustrated, the first OTRX 122 a is incommunication with a first remote antenna unit (RAU) 126 a and thesecond OTRX 122 b is in communication with a second RAU 126 b.

In this simplified example of the DAS 100, signals in a downlinkdirection from the first BTS 106 a are communicated to POI 112 a. FromPOI 112 a, the downlink direction signals are communicated throughrespective communication paths to OTRX 122 a and OTRX 122 b. Then fromthe respective OTRX 122 a and OTRX 122 b the downlink direction signalsare communicated to the respective first and second RAU 126 a and 126 bwhere the signals are radiated from one or more antennas included in orcoupled to the RAUs 126 a and 126 b to user devices in the respectivecoverage areas. Moreover, signals in the downlink direction associatedwith the second BTS 106 b are communicated to POI 112 b. Similar to POI112 a, from POI 112 b the downlink direction signals are communicatedthrough respective communication paths to OTRX 122 a and OTRX 122 b.Then from the respective OTRX 122 a and OTRX 122 b the downlinkdirection signals are communicated to the respective RAU 126 a and 126 bwhere the signals are radiated from one or more antennas included in orcoupled to the RAUs 126 a and 126 b to user devices in the respectivecoverage areas. That is, in this example, the downlink signals from theBTS 106 a and 106 b are simulcast from all of the RAUs 126 a and 126 bin the DAS 100. It is to be understood, however, that one or moredownlink signals from one or more RF sources can be radiated from lessthan all of the RAUs 126.

In the uplink direction, signals from user devices are received by oneor more of the first and second RAUs 126 a and 126 b. Signals receivedby the first RAU 126 a are communicated to the first OTRX 122 a. Fromthe first OTRX 122 a signals in the uplink direction are communicated tothe POI 112 a and POI 112 b. Signals received by the second RAU 126 bare communicated to the second OTRX 122 b. From the second OTRX 122 b,signals in the uplink direction are communicated to the POI 112 a andPOI 112 b. At the first POI 112 a, uplink signals intended for the firstBTS 106 a that were received at the first and second RAUs 126 a and 126b are combined and the resulting combined uplink signals arecommunicated to the first BTS 106 a. Likewise, at the second POI 112 b,uplink signals intended for the second BTS 106 b that were received atthe first and second RAUs 126 a and 126 b are combined and the resultingcombined uplink signals are communicated to the second BTS 106 b. Inthis simulcast example, uplink signals from all of the RAUs 126 a and126 b in the DAS 100 are combined to create the respective resultinguplink signal communicated to each BTS 106 a and 106 b. It is to beunderstood, however, uplink signals from less than all of the RAUs 126 aand 126 b in the DAS 100 can be combined to create the respectiveresulting uplink signal provided to one or more of the RF sources.

Although, sub rack 110 of the DAS master unit 102 is illustrated ashaving only two POIs 112 a and 112 b and two OTRXs 122 a and 122 b, anynumber of POIs and OTRXs can be used as part of a DAS 100 with manydifferent communication paths between components of DAS 100. Also, forease of explanation, only a single bi-directional communication link isshown between each OTRX 122 and a respective RAU 126, it is to beunderstood that such link can be implemented using one or more cables orother communication media (including different types of cables or othercommunication media) and using one or more intermediary units (such asan expansion unit).

As discussed above, each POI 112 a and 112 b typically includes a RFpower detector. The RF power detector, is typically a true root meansquare (RMS) power detector. A true RMS power detector calculates theRMS power of an input signal in response to the RF's signals AMenvelope. Typically, at the core of an RMS detector is a full-waverectifier, log/antilog circuit and an integrator. An RMS output signalis directly proportional to an average input signal expressed in dBm.The “average” power indication from the RMS detector is well suited forsignal level and gain control. However, it is a broadband power detectorthat cannot be tuned to a specific frequency. Hence, if an externalsignal is received by an associated remote antenna unit at the same timea test signal is generated, the broadband power detector of a POI 112cannot distinguish between the test signal and the interfering signaland measures the power of the combined signal. This can lead toincorrect measurement results and consequently to an incorrect levelingof the uplink communication path. The effect of an interfering signal ona measurement by a broadband power detector is illustrated in theinterfering graph of FIG. 2. In particular, FIG. 2 illustrates a noisefloor 206, a test signal 202 and an interfering signal 204 that occursat the same time the test signal 202 is generated. The power level ofthe test signal is indicated at 210 and the power level of theinterfering signal is indicated as 212. As a result of the inferencesignal 204, a measured power level 214 from the broadband power detectoris above the power of the test signal 210 and the interfering signal 204since the broadband power detector combines the power of both signals210 and 212 in making a measurement. Hence the broadband power detectordoes not accurately measure of the power of the test signal 210 in thepresence of an interfering signal 212. As stated above, this inabilityof the broadband power detector to be able to be tuned to a narrowfrequency can lead to incorrect measurement results and consequently toan incorrect leveling of an uplink communication path if an interferingsignal is present during leveling.

Embodiments described here use at least one RF power measuring devicethat can be tuned or adjusted to measure the power of a signal over anarrow frequency band. Referring back to FIG. 1, in the example shown nFIG. 1, the tunable power measuring device is a digital signalmeasurement receiver 114 a or 114 b, which can be generally referred toas a signal measurement receiver (SMR) and can be generally designatedas 114. Parameters of the SMR 114, such as tuning frequency, can beadjusted. Hence, the SMR 114 can be set to measure signal power for anarrow frequency band used by the test signal or can be set to measuresignal power for a broadband frequency range. In the example embodimentof FIG. 1, at least one SMR 114 a or 114 b is housed in either the firstsub rack 110 with the POIs 112 a and 112 b or the second sub rack 120with the first and second OTRX 122 a and 122 b of the DAS master unit102. The at least one SMR 114 a is in communication with at least one ofthe first and second POI 112 a and 112 b and the at least one SMR 114 bis in communication with at least one of the first and second OTRX 122 aand 122 b. By analyzing the spectra of the received signals, the SMR 114a or 114 b has the capability to distinguish interfering signals fromthe test signals. This information can then be used for uplink levelingas discussed in detail below.

Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram of one embodiment of an uplinkleveling system 300 is illustrated. The uplink leveling system 300includes a leveling controller 302 and memory 304. The levelingcontroller 302 is in communication with the memory 304. In general, theleveling controller 302 may include any one or more of a microprocessor,a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), a field program gate array (FPGA), or equivalentdiscrete or integrated logic circuitry. In some example embodiments,controller 302 may include multiple components, such as any combinationof one or more microprocessors, one or more controllers, one or moreDSPs, one or more ASICs, one or more FPGAs, as well as other discrete orintegrated logic circuitry. The functions attributed to controller 302herein may be embodied as software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof and may be implemented using software, firmware,hardware or any combination thereof that implements functions other justthe leveling functions described here. Memory 304 may include anon-transitory storage medium that is used to store instructions forsuch software or firmware that, when executed by the leveling controller302, provide one or more functions of described here as beingimplemented by the controller 302. The instructions may be stored withinthe memory 304. Memory 304 may comprise storage media including anyvolatile, nonvolatile, magnetic, optical, or electrical media, such as,but not limited to, a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory(ROM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), electrically-erasable programmable ROM(EEPROM), flash memory, or any other storage medium.

In one embodiment, the leveling controller 302 is a controller of one ofthe POIs 112 a or 112 b. In another embodiment, the leveling controller302 is a controller associated with the DAS master unit 102 as a whole.In still another embodiment, the leveling controller 302 is part of aleveling system that is remote to the DAS system 100. In an embodiment,the leveling controller 302 instructs one or more test signal generators306 to generate a test signal. The test signal generator 306 in oneembodiment is located in at least one of the RAU 126 (such as RAU 126 aor 126 b. of FIG. 1). In response, each test signal generator 306generates a test signal of a select power at a select frequency. Theleveling controller 302 is communicatively coupled to receive thebroadband power measurement from a broadband power detector 308, such asan RMS device in the POI 112. The leveling controller 302 is furthercommunicatively coupled to receive power measurements from the SMR 114.As noted above, the broadband power detector 308 and SMR 114 can beimplemented in the same device. The leveling controller 302 determinesthe proper gain and sets the leveling adjustments based on the receivedpower measurements. Different methods, as discussed in detail below, canbe used with the configuration discussed above to accomplish the uplinkleveling.

FIGS. 4-10 are flow diagrams of various exemplary embodiments of methodsof uplink signal leveling. In general, these methods are described hereas being implemented in the DAS 100 of FIGS. 1 and 3, though otherembodiments can be implemented in other ways.

The blocks of the flow diagrams have been arranged in a generallysequential manner for ease of explanation; however, it is to beunderstood that this arrangement is merely exemplary, and it should berecognized that the processing associated with the methods (and theblocks shown in the Figures) can occur in a different order (forexample, where at least some of the processing associated with theblocks is performed in parallel and/or in an event-driven manner).

Also, each of the methods shown in FIGS. 4-10 is described here as beingused to perform uplink leveling in a particular uplink signal path of aDAS 100, where the test signal generator 306 is deployed in or at aremote antenna unit 126 and generates a test signal that is communicatedin one or more uplink signal paths to the master unit 102. Further inother embodiments, where the gain or loss is known or is fixed betweenthe remote antenna unit 126 and another component in the uplink path,the placement of the test signal generator 306 in the uplink path is notlimited to being located within the remote antenna unit 126. At themaster unit 102, one or both of the SMR 114 and the broadband powerdetector 308 are used to measure the power of the received test signaland/or otherwise process the received test signal. It is to beunderstood, however, that the described methods can be used in otherways (for example, one or more of the test signal generator 306, the SMR114, and the broadband power detector 308 can be deployed at a differentnode of the DAS 100).

A flow diagram of an embodiment of a method 400 of uplink signallevelling is illustrated in FIG. 4. This method 400 is based on parallelpower measurements with the broadband power detector 308 at a respectivePOI 112 and the SMR 114. The leveling method 400 comprises generating atest signal having a select frequency and a first test signal powerlevel and communicating it to the master unit 102 over the DAS 100 usingthe uplink signal path that is being leveled (block 402). In thisembodiment, method 400 further comprises making time-synchronizedbroadband and narrow band power measurements using the respectivebroadband power detector 308 and the SMR 114 (block 404). Using thepower measurements, a correction factor is first determined (block 406).The correction factor is determined in one embodiment by using the SMR114 to take a first power measurement over a narrow frequency associatedwith the test signal and a second power measurement over a broadbandfrequency in which the POI 112 operates across. From those twomeasurements, a test signal-to-total-power ratio correction factor isdetermined. This correction factor is then used with the powermeasurement of the broadband power detector 308 of the POI 112 todetermine the correct gain adjustment for the communication path. Thatis, once the correction factor has been determined at block 406, thebroadband measurement is corrected with the correction factor (block408). For example, if the leveling controller 302 determines acorrection factor of −3 dB based on the SMR 114 power measurements (thetest signal in this example being at 50% of the total power) the powermeasured by the broadband power detector 308 should be reduced by 3 dB.Hence the correction factor in this example is to subtract 3 dB from thebroadband power measurement made by the broadband power detector 308.Adjustments are made for leveling based on the corrected broadband powermeasurement (block 410).

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a method 500 of uplinksignal leveling. In the embodiment of method 500, the gain/loss betweenthe SMR 114 and the POI 112 is determined and used to calibrate thepower measurements made with the SMR 114 (block 502). Since there is aloss on the communication path between the POI 112 and the SMR 114, thisloss needs to be measured. In one embodiment, this is done by generatinga test signal of a certain frequency and power at the POI 112 and thenmeasuring the power of the signal received by the SMR 114. Although, bydesign, the POI 112 can only generate test signals in the down linkdirection, the gains in the downlink and the uplink between the POI 112and the narrow band measurement device 114 should be the same or maydiffer by a constant value. Based on this assumption, the gain of theuplink communication path between the POI 112 and the SMR 114 can bedetermined by the SMR 114 during the leveling process performed for thedownlink. The gain/loss between the POI 112 and the SMR 114 is then usedto determine a gain/loss factor, which is applied to adjust the powermeasurements made by the SMR 114. This adjusting of the powermeasurements made by the SMR 114 is referred to here as “calibrating”the SMR 114, and the resulting adjusted power measurements are referredto here as “calibrated” power measurements.

Once the SMR 114 is calibrated, a test signal having a select frequencyand signal power level is generated and communicated to the master unit102 over the DAS 100 using the uplink signal path that is being leveled(block 504). The SMR 114 then measures the power at the given frequencyof the test signal (block 506) using the signal processing capabilitiesof the signal measured receiver 114. That is, only the power at theselect frequency is measured, and any interfering signals are filteredfrom the test signal so that only the power of the test signal ismeasured. In order to determine the actual signal power level receivedby the POI 112, the signal power value of the test signal received bythe SMR 114 is adjusted by the gain/loss calibration factor between thePOI 112 and the SMR 114, which was determined during the calibrationprocess discussed above. That is, the calibrated power measurement isdetermined. Adjustments in gains are then made by the POI 112 to levelthe communication path using the calibrated power measurement made usingthe SMR 114 measurements (block 508).

FIG. 6A is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a method 600 ofuplink signal leveling. The embodiment of method 600 shown in FIG. 600makes use of the signal processing capabilities of the SMR 114 to firstcheck if an interfering signal is being transmitted in the vicinity ofthe remote antenna unit 126 before any uplink leveling measurements oradjustments are made. Method 600 comprises generating a test signalhaving a select frequency and power level and communicating it to themaster unit 102 over the DAS 100 using the uplink signal path that isbeing leveled (block 602). Method 600 further comprises receiving thetest signal at the select frequency using the SMR 114 and in the POI 112(block 604). Method 600 further comprises determining whether there isan interfering signal at the select frequency (block 606). This is doneusing the signal processing capabilities of the SMR 114 (for example, bydetermining a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or other metric for the signalreceived at the select frequency and using the SNR or other metric todetermine if there is an interfering signal).

If there is no interfering signal (block 606) or the interfering signalis low enough and isn't influencing the measurement, the broadband powerat master unit 102 is measured using the broadband power detector 308(while the test signal continues to be generated) (block 608) and anyneeded uplink leveling gain adjustments are made based on the broadbandpower measurements (block 610).

If there is an interfering signal (block 606) which is above a certainthreshold and therefore high enough to influence the measurement, theuplink leveling process is stopped (block 612) without making any uplinkleveling measurements or gain adjustments and an error is signaled(block 614). The uplink leveling process can be tried again at anothertime (for example, at a time when it might be the case that theinterfering signal is not being transmitted). In this way, uplinkleveling measurements and gain adjustments are not made when aninterfering signal is being transmitted in the vicinity of the remoteantenna unit 126 that is generating the test signal.

FIG. 6B is flow diagram of another embodiment of a method 650 that isvariant of method 600 discussed above. Method 650 comprises generating atest signal having a select frequency and power level and communicatingit to the master unit 102 over the DAS 100 using the uplink signal paththat is being leveled (block 652). Method 650 further comprisesreceiving the test signal at the select frequency using the SMR 114 andin the POI 112 (block 654). Method 650 further comprises determiningwhether there is an interfering signal at the select frequency (block656). This is done using the signal processing capabilities of the SMR114 (for example, by determining a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or othermetric for the signal received at the select frequency and using the SNRor other metric to determine if there is an interfering signal).

If there is no interfering signal (block 656) or the interfering signalis low enough and isn't influencing the measurement, the broadband powerat master unit 102 is measured using the broadband power detector 308(while the test signal continues to be generated) (block 658) and anyneeded uplink leveling gain adjustments are made based on the broadbandpower measurements (block 660).

In this embodiment, if there is an interfering signal (block 656) whichis above a certain threshold and therefore high enough to influence themeasurement, the frequency of the test signal is adjusted (block 662) toa frequency that does not have an interfering signal or has aninterfering signal that is low enough to not influence the measurement.The test signal is then measured with the SMR 114 at the adjustedfrequency (block 664). Any needed uplink leveling gain adjustments(block 660) are made based on the measured test signal power by the SMR114 at the adjusted frequency. In one embodiment this is done bycalibrating the broadband power detector 308 and the SMR 114measurements similar to the method 500 of FIG. 5 and using thecalibration in determining gain adjustments.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a method 700 of uplinksignal leveling. In this embodiment, the broadband power detector 308has the ability to be tuned to multiple frequency bands. Method 700starts by monitoring for signals in the uplink path (block 702) with theSMR 114. Using the SMR's abilities to be tuned to different frequencies,a frequency where no signal is present or where a signal power would bebelow a certain threshold that would not influence a measurement by thebroadband power detector 308 is determined (block 704).

Method 700 further comprises tuning the test signal generator 306 andthe broadband power detector 308 to the determined frequency (block706), generating a test signal (using the test signal generator 306) atthe determined frequency using a predetermined power (block 708),measuring the broadband power at the master unit 102 using the broadbandpower detector 308 (block 710), and performing any needed uplinkleveling gain adjustments based on the broadband power measurements(block 712).

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a method 800 of uplinksignal leveling. Method 800 also monitors the uplink for signals withthe SMR 114 over different frequencies (block 802). In this embodiment,however, method 800 determines both a time and frequency where no signalis detected or where a signal power of a signal would be below a certainthreshold that would not influence a test measurement by the broadbandpower detector 308 (block 804). This method may be beneficial insituations where an interference signal is periodic. For example, wherethe source of an interfering signal is a wireless sensor thatperiodically transmits sensor measurements to a gateway device. The SMR114, in this embodiment attempts to determine the duty cycle of thewireless sensor. The test signal generator 306 is then configured togenerate the test signal when the wireless sensor is not transmitting asdiscussed below.

Method 800 further comprises tuning the test signal generator 306 andbroadband power detector 308 to the determined frequency (block 806),during those times when no interference with the test signal isexpected, generating the test signal at the test signal generator 306 atthe determined frequency using a predetermined power (block 808),measuring the broadband power at the POI 112 using the broadband powerdetector 308 (block 810), and performing any needed uplink leveling gainadjustments based on the broadband power measurements (block 812). Inthis way, uplink leveling can be performed despite the existence of anintermittent but periodic interfering signal.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a method 900 of uplinksignal leveling. The embodiment of method 900 shown in FIG. 900 makesuse of the signal processing capabilities of the SMR 114 to filter outany interfering signals present in the uplink signals prior to makingthe broadband power measurement at the master unit 102. In thisembodiment, the DAS 100 is configured so that signals received over theuplink signal path being leveled are input to the SMR 114 and so thatsignals output by the SMR 114 can be provided to the broadband powerdetector 308.

Method 900 comprises generating a test signal having a select frequencyand a first test signal power level and communicating it to the masterunit 102 over the DAS 100 using the uplink signal path that is beingleveled (block 902). Method 900 comprises receiving a broadband signalincluding the test signal at the SMR 114 in the master unit 102 (block904) and filtering out, by the SMR 114, all signal components other thanthe test signal and outputting the filtered signal to the broadbandpower detector 308 (block 906). The signal processing capabilities ofthe SMR 114 are used to filter all signal components other than the testsignal. For example, this can be done by using the SMR 114 to implementa digital band-pass filter with a narrow passband that corresponds tothe frequency of the test signal and where an analog, filtered signal isoutput from the SMR 114.

Method 900 further comprises measuring the broadband power of thefiltered signal output by the SMR 114 (block 908) and making any neededuplink leveling gain adjustments based on the broadband powermeasurements (block 910). The additional loss resulting from routing thetest signal through the SMR 114 should be taken into account in makingthe uplink leveling gain adjustments. Because the filter signal outputby the SMR 114 has had any interfering signals or noise present at theremote antenna unit 124 filtered out by the SMR 114, the broadband powermeasurement made by the broadband power detector 308 should reflect thepower of the test signal as received at the master unit 102 and not thepower of any interfering signals or noise.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a method 1000 ofuplink signal leveling. The embodiment of method 1000 shown in FIG. 1000uses test signals generated at multiple power levels in order to improvethe accuracy of the broadband power measurements made using thebroadband power detector 308.

Method 1000 comprises generating a test signal having a select frequencyand a first test signal power level and communicating it to the masterunit 102 over the DAS 100 using the uplink signal path that is beingleveled (block 1002). The test signal is communicated to the SMR 114.This first test signal power level is a relatively low power level.

Method 1000 further comprises measuring the broadband power using thebroadband power detector 308 in the master unit 102 while the testsignal is being generated at the first test signal power level (block1004). This broadband power measurement is also referred to here as the“first” broadband power measurement.

The processing described below can effectively correct for a limitedamount of interference and noise at the remote antenna unit 126. If theamount of interference and noise is more than that limited amount,effective uplink leveling is not likely and the process is stopped. Afirst threshold power level can be used to determine when this is thecase. The first threshold power level can be selected to correspond tothe maximum amount of interference and noise that can be corrected for.This first threshold power level can be determined, for example,experimentally.

Method 1000 further comprises determining if the first broadband powermeasurement is greater than the first threshold power level (block1006). If the first broadband power measurement is greater than thefirst threshold power level, the uplink leveling process is stoppedwithout making any uplink leveling measurements or gain adjustments andan error is signaled (block 1008). As noted above, if the firstbroadband power measurement is greater than the first threshold powerlevel, then the amount of interference and noise at the remote antennaunit 126 is greater than the amount that can be corrected for by theprocessing described below. The uplink leveling process can be triedagain at another time (for example, at a time when there might be lessinterference and noise at the remote antenna unit 126).

If the first broadband power measurement is less than or equal to afirst threshold power level (block 1006), the test signal is generatedat the select frequency at a second test signal power level andcommunicated to the master unit 102 over the DAS 100 using the uplinksignal path that is being leveled (block 1010). The second test signalpower level represents an increase in the power level relative to thefirst test signal power level by a pre-defined ratio (for example, 10decibels (dB) above the first test signal power level).

Method 1000 further comprises measuring the broadband power using thebroadband power detector 308 in the master unit 102 while the testsignal is being generated at the second test signal power level (block1012). This broadband power measurement is also referred to here as the“second” broadband power measurement.

It is expected that, if there is no interfering signal or noise at theremote antenna unit 126, the ratio between the second broadband powermeasurement and the first broadband power measurement should beproportional to the difference between the second test signal powerlevel and the first test signal power level.

If there is an interfering signal or noise at the remote antenna unit126, the difference between the second broadband power measurement andthe first broadband power measurement will be less than the differencebetween the second test signal power level and the first test signalpower level.

The difference between the second broadband power measurement and thefirst broadband power measurement is also referred to here as the“broadband power measurement delta,” and the difference between thesecond test signal power level and the first test signal power level isalso referred to here as the “test signal power level delta.” Thedifference between the broadband power measurement delta and the testsignal power level delta can be used to correct the broadband powermeasurements. In one embodiment, the broadband power measurement deltashould be sufficiently large for the correction to be effective. Thiscan be determined by checking if the broadband power measurement deltais greater than or equal to a second power level threshold. This secondthreshold power level can be determined, for example, experimentally. Inone example, where the pre-defined ratio between the second test signalpower level and the first test signal power level is 10 dB, thebroadband power measurement delta should be at least 3 dB, which wouldbe used as the second power level threshold in this example.

Method 1000 further comprises determining if the broadband powermeasurement delta is greater than the second threshold power level(block 1014). If the broadband power measurement delta is not greaterthan the second threshold power level, then the second test signal powerlevel is increased (block 1016) and the processing associated withblocks 1012-1014 is repeated using the larger test signal power leveldelta (which represents the difference between the increased second testsignal power level and the first test signal power level).

If the broadband power measurement delta is greater than the secondthreshold power level, then a correction factor is calculated (block1018), the broadband power measurements made using the broadband powerdetector 308 are corrected (block 1020), and any needed uplink levelinggain adjustments are made using the corrected broadband powermeasurements (block 1022). As a result of using the correction factor,the accuracy of the broadband power measurements made using thebroadband power detector 308 is increased, thereby increasing theaccuracy of the overall uplink signal leveling. Also, one additionaladvantage of method 1000 is that it does not require the use of a SMR114.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Example 1 is a method of uplink leveling a communication path in adistributed antenna system. The method includes generating a test signalof a select frequency and select power level in an uplink direction ofthe communication path; time synchronizing signal power levelmeasurements of the test signal with a broadband power detector of abase station point of interface that is communicatively coupled to thecommunication path and a signal measurement receiver that iscommunicatively coupled to the communication path; determining acorrection factor based at least in part on a comparison of a firstpower measurement taken at the select frequency associated with the testsignal and a second power measurement over a broadband frequency inwhich the base station point of interface operates; determining gainadjustments based at least in part on the signal power level measurementof the broadband power detector and the correction factor; and levelingthe communication path based on the determined gain adjustments.

Example 2, includes the method of Example 1, wherein the first powermeasurement and the second power measurement are both taken by thesignal measurement receiver in determining a test signal-to-total-powerratio.

Example 3 includes the method of any of the Examples 1-2, furtherincluding calibrating measurements of a broadband power detector of abase station point of interface that is communicatively coupled to thecommunication path and a signal measurement receiver that iscommunicatively coupled to the communication path; generating at leastone test signal of a select frequency and power level in an uplinkdirection of the communication path; measuring the power level of the atleast one test signal with the signal measurement receiver at the selectfrequency; determining a gain adjustment based at least in part on thecalibration of measurements of the broadband power detector and thesignal measurement receiver and the measured power level of the at leastone test signal with the signal measurement receiver; and leveling thecommunication path based on the determined gain adjustments.

Example 4 includes the method of any of Example 3, wherein calibratingmeasurements of the broadband power detector of a base station point ofinterface that is communicatively coupled to the communication path andthe signal measurement receiver that is communicatively coupled to thecommunication path, further includes, generating a calibration signal ofa select frequency and power with a signal generator in the base stationpoint of interface; measuring a signal power level of the calibrationsignal with the signal measurement device; and determining a gain/lossbetween the base station point of interface and the signal managementdevice based on a comparison of the signal power level of thecalibration signal generated by the signal generator of the base stationpoint of interface and the measured signal power level of thecalibration signal by the signal measurement receiver to determine again/loss factor used for calibration.

Example 5 is a method of uplink leveling a communication path in adistributed antenna system, the method includes generating a test signalof a select frequency and power level in an uplink direction of thecommunication path; receiving the test signal with a signal measurementreceiver that is communicatively coupled to the communication path;determining if there are interfering signals present at the selectfrequency with the signal measurement receiver; if there are nointerfering signals present, determining gain adjustments based on ameasurement of the test signal by a broadband power detector of a basestation point of interface that is communicatively coupled to thecommunication path; and leveling the communication path based on thedetermined gain adjustments.

Example 6 includes the method of Example 5, wherein determining if thereare interfering signals present at the select frequency with the signalmeasurement receiver further includes using signal processingcapabilities of the signal measurement receiver to determine asignal-to-noise ratio of the measured test signal.

Example 7 includes the method of any of the Examples 5-6, furtherwherein if there are interfering signals present, stopping uplinkleveling.

Example 8 includes the method of any of the Examples 5-7, furtherincluding if there are interfering signals present, adjusting thefrequency of the test signal; measuring the power level of the testsignal at the adjusted frequency with the signal measurement receiver;and determining gain adjustments based at least in part on themeasurement of the test signal by the signal measurement receiver at theadjusted frequency.

Example 9 is a method of uplink leveling a communication path in adistributed antenna system. The method includes using a signalmeasurement receiver that is communicatively coupled to thecommunication path to measure signals in an uplink direction of thecommunication path; determining at least one open frequency where nosignal is detected in the uplink direction of the communication path;tuning a test signal to the at least one open frequency; tuning abroadband power detector of a base station point of interface that iscommunicatively coupled to the communication path to the at least oneopen frequency of the test signal; generating the test signal at the atleast one open frequency; measuring the power of the test signal at theat least one open frequency with the broadband power detector todetermine gain adjustments; and leveling the communication path based onthe determined gain adjustments.

Example 10 includes the method of Example 9, further includingdetermining a timing of the open frequency; and generating the testsignal during the determined timing of the open frequency.

Example 11 includes the method of any of the Examples 9-10, whereindetermining at least one open frequency where no signal is detected inthe uplink direction of the communication path further includesdetermining where a signal power of a signal would be below a certainthreshold that would not influence a test measurement by the broadbandpower detector.

Example 12 is a method of uplink leveling a communication path in adistributed antenna system. The method includes generating a test signalof a select power level and frequency in an uplink direction of thecommunication path; receiving a detected broadband signal in response tothe test signal with a signal measurement receiver that iscommunicatively coupled to the communication path; filtering out allcomponents of the detected broadband signal except the test signal withthe signal measurement receiver; outputting the filtered test signal toa broadband power detector of a base station point of interface that iscommunicatively coupled to the signal measurement receiver; measuringthe power of the test signal with the broadband power detector todetermine gain adjustments; and leveling the communication path based onthe determined gain adjustments.

Example 13 includes the method of Example 12, wherein the filtering outof all components of the received signal except the test signal furtherincludes using signal processing capabilities of the signal measurementreceiver to filter out all of the components of the detected broadbandsignal.

Example 14 includes the method of any of the Examples 12-13, whereindetermining the gain adjustment further takes into considerationadditional losses resulting in routing the test signal through thesignal measurement receiver to the broadband power detector.

Example 15 is a method of uplink leveling a communication path in adistributed antenna system, the method includes generating a first testsignal at a first power level and a select frequency in an uplinkdirection of the communication path; measuring a power level of thefirst test signal with a broadband power detector of a base stationpoint of interface that is communicatively coupled to the communicationpath to determine a first broadband power measurement; determining ifthe first broadband power measurement is greater than a first thresholdpower level, the first threshold power level being indicative of amaximum amount of interference and noise in a measured test signal thatcan be corrected for; if the power level of the first measured testsignal power level is not greater than the first threshold power level,generating a second test signal at a second power level and the selectfrequency in an uplink direction of the communication path; measuring apower level of the second test signal with the broadband power detectorof the base station point of interface that is communicatively coupledto the communication path to determine a second broadband powermeasurement; determining a broadband power measurement delta between thesecond measured test signal power level and the first measured testsignal power level; if the broadband power measurement delta is one ofgreater than and equal to a second threshold power level, calculating acorrection factor; using the correction factor to determine gainadjustments; and leveling the communication path based on the determinedgain adjustments.

Example 16 includes the method of Example 15, wherein if the power levelof the first measured test signal power level is at least one of lessthan and equal to the first threshold power level, stopping the levelingprocess.

Example 17 includes the method of any of the Example 15-16, wherein thesecond threshold is set sufficiently large for the corrective factor tobe effective.

Example 18, includes the method of any of the Example 15-17, wherein ifthe broadband power measurement delta is less than the second thresholdpower level, increasing the power of the second test signal.

Example 19 includes the method of any of the Example 15-18, whereincalculating the correction factor further includes determining adifference between the second broadband power measurement and the firstbroadband power measurement to determine the broadband power measurementdelta; determining a difference between the second test signal powerlevel and the first test signal power level to determine a test signalpower level delta; and determining a difference between the broadbandpower measurement delta and the test signal power level delta.

Example 20, includes the method of any of the Example 15-19, wherein thesecond power level of the second test signal is an increase over thefirst power level of the first test signal by a predefined ratio.

Example 21 is a method of uplink leveling a communication path in adistributed antenna system. The method includes generating at least onetest signal of a select frequency and power level in an uplink directionof the communication path; measuring a signal power level with abroadband power detector of a base station point of interface that iscommunicatively coupled to the communication path in response to the atleast one test signal; measuring at least one signal power level with asignal measurement receiver that is communicatively coupled to thecommunication path in response to the at least one test signal;determining a gain adjustment based at least in part on a comparisonbetween the power level of the test signal and at least one of themeasured signal power level by the broadband power detector and themeasured at least one signal power level by the signal measurementreceiver; and leveling the communication path based on the determinedgain adjustment.

Example 22 is an uplink leveling system for a distributed antennasystem. The uplink leveling system includes at least one communicationpath, a broadband measurement detector, a signal measurement receiver, atest signal generator and at least one controller. The at least onecommunication path is between a base station point of interface and aremote antenna unit. The broadband measurement detector is configured tomeasure signal power over a broadband frequency range. The broadbandmeasurement detector is communicatively coupled to measure signal powerin the at least one communication path at the base station point ofinterface. The signal measurement receiver is configured to be frequencytuned. The signal measurement receiver is communicatively coupled tomeasure signal power in the at least one communication path. The testsignal generator is configured to generate a test signal in the at leastone communication path in an uplink direction from the remote antennaunit to the base station point of interface. The at least one controlleris in communication with the test signal generator, the signalmeasurement receiver and the broadband measurement detector. The atleast one controller is configured to cause the test signal generator togenerate the test signal having a select power and frequency. The atleast one controller is further configured to control the tuning of thesignal measurement receiver. The at least one controller is furtherstill configured to level the communication path in the uplink directionbased at least in part on measurements by the broadband measurementdetector and the signal measurement receiver in response to thegenerated test signal by the test signal generator.

Example 23 includes the uplink leveling system for a distributed antennasystem of Example 22, further including at least one memory to storeleveling instructions, the at least one controller in communication withthe at least one memory.

Example 24 includes the uplink leveling system for a distributed antennasystem of any Examples 22-23, wherein the signal measurement receiver iswithin the communication path, the at least one controller configured tocontrol the signal measurement receiver to only allow signals having thefrequency of the test signal to pass to the base station point ofinterface.

Example 25 includes the uplink leveling system for a distributed antennasystem of any Examples 22-24, wherein the at least one controller isfurther configured to time synchronize the measuring of the broadbandmeasurement detector and the signal measurement receiver with the testsignal.

Example 26 includes the uplink leveling system for a distributed antennasystem of any Examples 22-25, wherein the at least one controller isfurther configured to synchronize at least one of frequency and timingof at least one of the broadband measurement detector and the signalmeasurement receiver with the test signal.

Example 27 includes the uplink leveling system for a distributed antennasystem of any Examples 22-26, further including at least one transceiverin the at least one communication path, the transceiver positionedbetween the at least one remote antenna unit and the base station pointof interface.

Example 28 includes the uplink leveling system for a distributed antennasystem of Example 27, further including a first sub rack and a secondsub rack. The at least one base station point of interface is receivedin the first sub rack. The at least one transceiver is received in thesecond sub rack. Moreover, the at least one signal measurement receiveris housed in at least one of the first sub rack and the second sub rack.

Example 29 includes the uplink leveling system for a distributed antennasystem of Example 28, further including a distributed antenna systemmaster unit, the first sub rack and the second sub rack housed in thedistributed antenna system master unit.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the artthat any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose,may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. In addition, itwill be understood that other variants that combine one or more methodsdescribed above can be implemented to achieve the same purpose ofleveling in the uplink communication path. This application is intendedto cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention.Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited onlyby the claims and the equivalents thereof.

1. A method of uplink leveling a communication path in a distributed antenna system, the method comprising: generating a test signal of a select frequency and select power level in an uplink direction of the communication path; time synchronizing signal power level measurements of the test signal with a broadband power detector of a base station point of interface that is communicatively coupled to the communication path and a signal measurement receiver that is communicatively coupled to the communication path; determining a correction factor based at least in part on a comparison of a first power measurement taken at the select frequency associated with the test signal and a second power measurement over a broadband frequency in which the base station point of interface operates; determining gain adjustments based at least in part on the signal power level measurement of the broadband power detector and the correction factor; and leveling the communication path based on the determined gain adjustments.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first power measurement and the second power measurement are both taken by the signal measurement receiver in determining a test signal-to-total-power ratio.
 3. A method of uplink leveling a communication path in a distributed antenna system, the method comprising: calibrating measurements of a broadband power detector of a base station point of interface that is communicatively coupled to the communication path and a signal measurement receiver that is communicatively coupled to the communication path; generating at least one test signal of a select frequency and power level in an uplink direction of the communication path; measuring the power level of the at least one test signal with the signal measurement receiver at the select frequency; determining a gain adjustment based at least in part on the calibration of measurements of the broadband power detector and the signal measurement receiver and the measured power level of the at least one test signal with the signal measurement receiver; and leveling the communication path based on the determined gain adjustments.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein calibrating measurements of the broadband power detector of a base station point of interface that is communicatively coupled to the communication path and the signal measurement receiver that is communicatively coupled to the communication path, further comprises: generating a calibration signal of a select frequency and power with a signal generator in the base station point of interface; measuring a signal power level of the calibration signal with the signal measurement device; and determining a gain/loss between the base station point of interface and the signal management device based on a comparison of the signal power level of the calibration signal generated by the signal generator of the base station point of interface and the measured signal power level of the calibration signal by the signal measurement receiver to determine a gain/loss factor used for calibration.
 5. A method of uplink leveling a communication path in a distributed antenna system, the method comprising: generating a test signal of a select frequency and power level in an uplink direction of the communication path; receiving the test signal with a signal measurement receiver that is communicatively coupled to the communication path; determining if there are interfering signals present at the select frequency with the signal measurement receiver; if there are no interfering signals present, determining gain adjustments based on a measurement of the test signal by a broadband power detector of a base station point of interface that is communicatively coupled to the communication path; and leveling the communication path based on the determined gain adjustments.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining if there are interfering signals present at the select frequency with the signal measurement receiver further comprises: using signal processing capabilities of the signal measurement receiver to determine a signal-to-noise ratio of the measured test signal.
 7. The method of claim 5, further comprising: if there are interfering signals present, stopping uplink leveling.
 8. The method of claim 5, further comprising: if there are interfering signals present, adjusting the frequency of the test signal; measuring the power level of the test signal at the adjusted frequency with the signal measurement receiver; and determining gain adjustments based at least in part on the measurement of the test signal by the signal measurement receiver at the adjusted frequency.
 9. A method of uplink leveling a communication path in a distributed antenna system, the method comprising: using a signal measurement receiver that is communicatively coupled to the communication path to measure signals in an uplink direction of the communication path; determining at least one open frequency where no signal is detected in the uplink direction of the communication path; tuning a test signal to the at least one open frequency; tuning a broadband power detector of a base station point of interface that is communicatively coupled to the communication path to the at least one open frequency of the test signal; generating the test signal at the at least one open frequency; measuring the power of the test signal at the at least one open frequency with the broadband power detector to determine gain adjustments; and leveling the communication path based on the determined gain adjustments.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: determining a timing of the open frequency; and generating the test signal during the determined timing of the open frequency.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein determining at least one open frequency where no signal is detected in the uplink direction of the communication path further comprises: determining where a signal power of a signal would be below a certain threshold that would not influence a test measurement by the broadband power detector.
 12. A method of uplink leveling a communication path in a distributed antenna system, the method comprising: generating a test signal of a select power level and frequency in an uplink direction of the communication path; receiving a detected broadband signal in response to the test signal with a signal measurement receiver that is communicatively coupled to the communication path; filtering out all components of the detected broadband signal except the test signal with the signal measurement receiver; outputting the filtered test signal to a broadband power detector of a base station point of interface that is communicatively coupled to the signal measurement receiver; measuring the power of the test signal with the broadband power detector to determine gain adjustments; and leveling the communication path based on the determined gain adjustments.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the filtering out of all components of the received signal except the test signal further comprises: using signal processing capabilities of the signal measurement receiver to filter out all of the components of the detected broadband signal.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein determining the gain adjustment further takes into consideration additional losses resulting in routing the test signal through the signal measurement receiver to the broadband power detector.
 15. A method of uplink leveling a communication path in a distributed antenna system, the method comprising: generating a first test signal at a first power level and a select frequency in an uplink direction of the communication path; measuring a power level of the first test signal with a broadband power detector of a base station point of interface that is communicatively coupled to the communication path to determine a first broadband power measurement; determining if the first broadband power measurement is greater than a first threshold power level, the first threshold power level being indicative of a maximum amount of interference and noise in a measured test signal that can be corrected for; if the power level of the first measured test signal power level is not greater than the first threshold power level, generating a second test signal at a second power level and the select frequency in an uplink direction of the communication path; measuring a power level of the second test signal with the broadband power detector of the base station point of interface that is communicatively coupled to the communication path to determine a second broadband power measurement; determining a broadband power measurement delta between the second measured test signal power level and the first measured test signal power level; if the broadband power measurement delta is one of greater than and equal to a second threshold power level, calculating a correction factor; using the correction factor to determine gain adjustments; and leveling the communication path based on the determined gain adjustments.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: if the power level of the first measured test signal power level is at least one of less than and equal to the first threshold power level, stopping the leveling process.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the second threshold is set sufficiently large for the corrective factor to be effective.
 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising: if the broadband power measurement delta is less than the second threshold power level, increasing the power of the second test signal.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein calculating the correction factor further comprises: determining a difference between the second broadband power measurement and the first broadband power measurement to determine the broadband power measurement delta; determining a difference between the second test signal power level and the first test signal power level to determine a test signal power level delta; and determining a difference between the broadband power measurement delta and the test signal power level delta.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the second power level of the second test signal is an increase over the first power level of the first test signal by a predefined ratio.
 21. A method of uplink leveling a communication path in a distributed antenna system, the method comprising: generating at least one test signal of a select frequency and power level in an uplink direction of the communication path; measuring a signal power level with a broadband power detector of a base station point of interface that is communicatively coupled to the communication path in response to the at least one test signal; measuring at least one signal power level with a signal measurement receiver that is communicatively coupled to the communication path in response to the at least one test signal; determining a gain adjustment based at least in part on a comparison between the power level of the test signal and at least one of the measured signal power level by the broadband power detector and the measured at least one signal power level by the signal measurement receiver; and leveling the communication path based on the determined gain adjustment.
 22. An uplink leveling system for a distributed antenna system comprising: at least one communication path between a base station point of interface and a remote antenna unit; a broadband measurement detector configured to measure signal power over a broadband frequency range, the broadband measurement detector communicatively coupled to measure signal power in the at least one communication path at the base station point of interface; a signal measurement receiver configured to be frequency tuned, the signal measurement receiver communicatively coupled to measure signal power in the at least one communication path; a test signal generator configured to generate a test signal in the at least one communication path in an uplink direction from the remote antenna unit to the base station point of interface; and at least one controller in communication with the test signal generator, the signal measurement receiver and the broadband measurement detector, the at least one controller configured to cause the test signal generator to generate the test signal having a select power and frequency, the at least one controller further configured to control the tuning of the signal measurement receiver, the at least one controller further configured to level the communication path in the uplink direction based at least in part on measurements by the broadband measurement detector and the signal measurement receiver in response to the generated test signal by the test signal generator.
 23. The uplink leveling system for a distributed antenna system of claim 22, further comprising: at least one memory to store leveling instructions, the at least one controller in communication with the at least one memory.
 24. The uplink leveling system for a distributed antenna system of claim 22, wherein the signal measurement receiver is within the communication path, the at least one controller configured to control the signal measurement receiver to only allow signals having the frequency of the test signal to pass to the base station point of interface.
 25. The uplink leveling system for a distributed antenna system of claim 22, wherein the at least one controller is further configured to time synchronize the measuring of the broadband measurement detector and the signal measurement receiver with the test signal.
 26. The uplink leveling system for a distributed antenna system of claim 22, wherein the at least one controller is further configured to synchronize at least one of frequency and timing of at least one of the broadband measurement detector and the signal measurement receiver with the test signal.
 27. The uplink leveling system for a distributed antenna system of claim 22, further comprising: at least one transceiver in the at least one communication path, the transceiver positioned between the at least one remote antenna unit and the base station point of interface.
 28. The distributed antenna system with uplink leveling of claim 27, further comprising: a first sub rack, the at least one base station point of interface received in the first sub rack; a second sub rack, the at least one transceiver received in the second sub rack; and the at least one signal measurement receiver housed in at least one of the first sub rack and the second sub rack.
 29. The distribution antenna system with uplink leveling of claim 28, further comprising: a distributed antenna system master unit, the first sub rack and the second sub rack housed in the distributed antenna system master unit. 